Critical Insights: John Steinbeck

Easily one of America's most important novelists, John Steinbeck has been a favorite among readers of all kinds for decades. A versatile, restless writer who constantly experimented with new forms and genres, he seems to offer something for everyone-whether rapturous descriptions of the California landscape, fierce denunciations of social injustices, simple morality tales, or just picaresque adventure stories. His simple prose style makes him a perennial favorite among students, yet the layers of meaning his simplicity conceals give many readers deep, lifelong enjoyment.

This volume in the Critical Insights series brings together a variety of classic and contemporary essays on this American author. Topics include the social and historical contexts to which Steinbeck responded in his work, an explanation of why Steinbeck's popular reputation is at such variance with his critical reputation, and examinations of his most popular novels and most famous protagonists.